Network-based game system and method

• US 20030153373A1
• Filed: 01/14/2003
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Squibbs, Robert Francis
• Granted Patent: US 8,016,675 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/005 characterised by the type of game, e.g. ball games, fighting games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/303 for displaying additional data, e.g. simulating a Head Up Display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying

Abstract

A network-based game system is provided that includes a game processing subsystem for providing a virtual game environment in which player-controlled virtual game entities can move. Players communicate with the game processing subsystem via connectivity subsystems, such as wireless and wired LANs, that each permit access by multiple players. The processing subsystem associates each connectivity subsystem with a respective particular location in the game environment. Each such particular location has at least one special game-play significance for a virtual game entity associated with a player communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem; for example, the game entity may only be allowed to enter and leave the game at this location.

Claims

1. A network-based game system comprising:

a game processing subsystem for providing a virtual game environment in which player-controlled virtual game entities can move;

player devices for controlling virtual game entities; and

connectivity subsystems through each of which multiple players, each using a said playing device, can communicate with the processing subsystem to move associated virtual game entities and view game play in the game environment;

the processing subsystem being operative to associate each connectivity subsystem with a respective particular location in the game environment, and the system being such that each said particular location has at least one special game-play significance for a said virtual game entity associated with a player communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the processing subsystem is operative to permit a player to introduce a said virtual game entity into the game environment, a said special significance of each said particular location being that game entities introduced by players communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem, enter the game environment at that particular location.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the processing subsystem is operative to permit a player to retrieve a said virtual game entity from the game environment, a said special significance of each said particular location being that game entities associated with players communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem, can only be retrieved from the game environment at that particular location.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the processing subsystem is operative to permit a player to introduce and retrieve a said virtual game entity into the game environment, a said special significance of each said particular location being that game entities associated with players communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem, enter the game environment at that particular location and can only be retrieved from the game environment at that particular location.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the processing subsystem including a transfer-facilitation arrangement for enabling a said game entity to be introduced via one said particular location and removed via a different said particular location.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said transfer-facilitation arrangement is operative to allow a said game entity to reside in the game environment whilst the associated player terminates communication with the processing subsystem from a first said connectivity subsystem, moves to a second said connectivity subsystem, and re-establishes communication with the processing subsystem via the second connectivity subsystem to take control again of the game entity.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the transfer-facilitation arrangement is operative to enable a said game entity to reside in the game environment hidden from other game entities for a predetermined period, after which the game entity becomes visible to said other game entities.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein the transfer-facilitation arrangement is operative to enable a said game entity to reside in the game environment hidden from other game entities for a first predetermined period if located in a said particular location of the game environment and for a shorter, second predetermined period if located outside of a portal location, the game entity becoming visible to said other game entities after the elapse of the predetermined period concerned.

9. A system according to claim 5, wherein said transfer-facilitation arrangement is operative to allow a player to use multiple player devices for the same game entity whereby the player can use a first player device communicating with the processing subsystem via a first said connectivity subsystem to introduce the game entity into the game environment, and a second device communicating with the processing subsystem via a second said connectivity subsystem to remove the game entity from the game environment.

10. A system according to claim 5, wherein said transfer-facilitation arrangement is operative to allow a first player who has introduced a game entity into the game environment through a first said particular location, to transfer control of the game entity to a second player communicating via a connectivity subsystem associated with a different said particular location whereby the second player can remove the game entity through the latter particular location.

11. A system according to claim 5, wherein said transfer-facilitation arrangement is operative to allow multiple players to be associated with the same game entity whereby a first one of said multiple players can introduce the game entity into the game environment through a first said particular location, and a second one of said multiple players, communicating via a connectivity subsystem associated with a different said particular location, can remove the game entity through the latter particular location.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system is arranged to provide the game entities with expendable resources which become depleted during game play, a said special significance of each said particular location being that a game entity associated with a player communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem, can have its expendable resources replenished by the player when at that particular location.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system is operative to enable competitive engagement between game entities, a said special significance of each said particular location being that in respect of a competitive engagement taking place in a said particular location, preferential treatment is given to a game entity associated with a player communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem, as compared to game entities associated with players communicating through other connectivity subsystems.

14. A system according to claim 1, wherein the connectivity subsystems each have restricted geographic extent.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein at least some of the connectivity subsystems are wireless LANs.

16. A system according to claim 6, wherein the connectivity subsystems each have restricted geographic extent.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein at least some of the connectivity subsystems are wireless LANs.

18. A system according to claim 1, wherein the processing subsystem is arranged to provide at least one said particular location as a featured area of the game environment in which a game entity can move.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein the processing subsystem is operative to enable a said game entity to move between the said featured area and the adjacent areas of the game environment over at least a substantial length of the boundary of said featured area.

20. A system according to claim 18, wherein the processing subsystem is distributed, the part of the processing subsystem responsible for providing said featured area of the game environment in respect of said particular location, being functionally associated with the corresponding connectivity subsystem.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the said part of the processing subsystem responsible for providing said featured area of the game environment in respect of said particular location, is under separate control to the rest of the processing subsystem.

22. A system according to claim 20, wherein said part of the processing system responsible for providing said featured area includes a sub-part that is itself responsible for providing a featured sub-area of said featured area, this sub-part being functionally associated with a particular portion of the connectivity subsystem with which said featured area is associated.

23. A system according to claim 1, wherein the system is arranged such that at least one said particular location is a portal feature through which game entities can move between the game environment and a further virtual game space provided by functionality of the connectivity subsystem associated with said particular location.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein the said functionality for providing said further virtual game space is under separate control to the processing subsystem.

25. A system according to claim 1, wherein the processing subsystem is operative to change the position of at least one said particular location in the game environment.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein the processing subsystem is operative to change the position of said location continuously.

27. A system according to claim 25, wherein the processing subsystem is operative to make step changes the position of said location at periodic intervals.

28. A network-based game system comprising:

a game processing subsystem for providing a virtual game environment in which player-controlled virtual game entities can move; and

connectivity subsystems through each of which multiple players, each using a playing device, can communicate with the processing subsystem to introduce and move virtual game entities in the game environment;

the processing subsystem being operative to associate each connectivity subsystem with a respective portal location in the game environment and to cause a virtual game entity introduced by a player communicating via that connectivity subsystem to enter the game environment at the portal location.

29. A network-based game system comprising:

a game processing subsystem for providing a virtual game environment in which player-controlled virtual game entities can move;

player devices for controlling virtual game entities; and

connectivity subsystems through each of which multiple players, each using a playing device, can communicate with the processing subsystem to introduce, move and remove virtual game entities respectively into, within and from the game environment;

the processing subsystem being operative to associate each connectivity subsystem with a respective portal location in the game environment and to permit a virtual game entity to be engaged and disengaged only through the said portal location associated with the connectivity subsystem being used by the player currently associated with the entity, the processing subsystem including transfer-facilitation means for enabling a said game entity to be introduced via one portal location and removed via a different portal location.

30. A method of implementing a network-based virtual game, in which:

each connectivity subsystem used to connect players to a game processing subsystem is associated with a respective particular location in a game environment provided by the processing subsystem, and

each said particular location is given at least one special game-play significance for a game entity associated with a player communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem.

31. A method according to claim 30, wherein a player is permitted to introduce a said virtual game entity into the game environment, a said special significance of each said particular location being that game entities introduced by players communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem, enter the game environment at that particular location.

32. A method according to claim 30, wherein a player is permitted to retrieve a said virtual game entity from the game environment, a said special significance of each said particular location being that game entities associated with players communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem, can only be retrieved from the game environment at that particular location.

33. A method according to claim 30, wherein a player is permitted to introduce and retrieve a said virtual game entity into the game environment, a said special significance of each said particular location being that game entities associated with players communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem, enter the game environment at that particular location and can only be retrieved from the game environment at that particular location.

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein, in order to enable a said game entity to be introduced via one said particular location and removed via a different said particular location, a said game entity is allowed to reside in the game environment whilst the associated player terminates communication with the processing subsystem from a first said connectivity subsystem, moves to a second said connectivity subsystem, and re-establishes communication with the processing subsystem via the second connectivity subsystem to take control again of the game entity.

35. A method according to claim 33, wherein, in order to enable a said game entity to be introduced via one said particular location and removed via a different said particular location, a player controls a game entity using multiple player devices each communicating with the processing subsystem via respective connectivity subsystem.

36. A method according to claim 33, wherein, in order to enable a said game entity to be introduced via one said particular location and removed via a different said particular location, a first player who has introduced a game entity into the game environment through a first said particular location, is allowed to transfer control of the game entity to a second player communicating via a connectivity subsystem associated with a different said particular location whereby the second player can remove the game entity through the latter particular location.

37. A method according to claim 33, wherein, in order to enable a said game entity to be introduced via one said particular location and removed via a different said particular location, multiple players each using a different connectivity subsystem are associated with the same game entity.

38. A method according to claim 30, wherein the game entities have expendable resources which become depleted during game play, a said special significance of each said particular location being that a game entity associated with a player communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem, can replenish its expendable resources when at that particular location.

39. A method according to claim 30, wherein game entities competitively engage each other during the game, a said special significance of each said particular location being that in respect of a competitive engagement taking place in a said particular location, preferential treatment is given to a game entity associated with a player communicating with the processing subsystem via the corresponding connectivity subsystem, as compared to game entities associated with players communicating through other connectivity subsystems.

40. A method according to claim 30, wherein the connectivity subsystems each have restricted geographic extent.

41. A method according to claim 40, wherein at least some of the connectivity subsystems are wireless LANs.

42. A method according to claim 30, wherein at least one said particular location is a featured area of the game environment in which a game entity can move.

43. A method according to claim 42, wherein a said game entity can move between the said featured area and the adjacent areas of the game environment over at least a substantial length of the boundary of said featured area.

44. A method according to claim 30, wherein the position of at least one said particular location in the game environment is changed during the course of a game.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the position of said location is continuously changed.

46. A method according to claim 44, wherein the position of said location is subject to a step change at periodic intervals.

47. A method of implementing a network-based virtual game including the steps of:

(a) associating each connectivity subsystem used to connect players to a game processing subsystem with a respective portal location in a game environment generated by the processing subsystem;

(b) restricting engagement and disengagement of a virtual game entity to be only through the portal location associated with the connectivity subsystem being used by the player currently associated with the entity; and

(c) enabling a said game entity to be introduced via one portal location and removed via a different portal location.